Luxury food gems for deep pockets

Many dining tables, after those sad pandemic Christmases, were likely groaning with heft this past holiday season.

Parties and get-togethers came back like revenge travel, never mind the hideous traffic that came with it. And as we look forward to the 6 January Feast of the Three Kings, which is the last day of Yuletide, let's have a look at some of the most indulgent food items we have heard through the grapevine.

Most expensive of all spices, the saffron is derived from the purple-colored saffron crocus flower, thousands of which have to be gathered to "create one ounce of saffron," according to LUXlife magazine. It is expensive, yes, so unless you know what to do with it, let's stick with salt and pepper.

Of course, discriminating foodies will beg to disagree. This golden spice with a rich flavor is a far cry from ordinary spices on your table.

"…by the 16th century, it cost as much as gold and today, top-quality saffron will run you up to $10,000 a pound," says an article on Taste of Home website.

While it is true the price can be part of the food experience, one that may urge a few to splurge on saffron, the truth is it is "celebrated for its health benefits" — from "Insomnia to digestive discomfort and immune function" — and "adds complex flavors to a wide variety of dishes" including the familiar paella.

Author Peter Mayle has a whole book regaling his readers with the joys and pleasures of eating truffle-based French dishes. Nowadays, this expensive ingredient can be found on grocery shelves in the form of truffle oil, which one may drizzle on a salad or in pasta sauce, or in the latest must-try flavors of popcorn or potato chips.

Here's an important detail from ventured.com: "Truffles are part of the fungus family that grows entirely underground. While mushrooms sprout above ground, truffles stay underground at the tree roots. Truffles are rare to find, so when they are found, they come with a hefty price tag."

What else makes truffles expensive? "Truffles are seasonal and difficult to grow. Unlike most crops that you can plant and harvest at home, truffles require perfect conditions to grow, and it will often take years for them to cultivate. Once a truffle has been cultivated, it needs to be harvested and used relatively quickly, as truffles have a very short shelf life," adds the said website in an article titled "The Most Expensive Truffles in the World" (26 April 2022).

And what is the number one steepest-priced truffle in the world? Because these truffles are rare, they are auctioned as precious items, and some of the most jaw-dropping bids ranged from $61,250 (White Alba's Truffle from the Umbrian region of Italy, sold to a Taiwanese in December 2014) to $330,000 (White Truffle of Tuscany, sold to Stanley Ho in 2007).

In the meat of things, Japan emerges as the source of many of the most prized beef in the world, being home to Wagyu, Matsusaka and Kobe.(PHOTOGRAPHS courtesy of STEAK Society)

In the meat of things, Japan emerges as the source of many of the most prized beef in the world, being home to Wagyu, Matsusaka and Kobe. An article titled "6 Astonishing Varieties of the Most Expensive Meat Worldwide (www.dailyrx.com) says, "These prized cuts, often enveloped in tales of tradition and meticulous care, represent the pinnacle of culinary luxury."

It also goes on to list other meats that make up the range of culinary paradise: Jamon Iberico de Bellota (Spain), Almas Caviar (Iran) and Foie Gras (France).

The most precious ham meats from Spain are made from black Iberian pig and cost "around $100 to $500 per pound," the article says.